Cottage CraftTall Rubber Riding BootEnglish Chaps/Boots/Helmets

Purchase: I got these boots as a Christmas present a few years ago. I had also bought a used pair of these boots and liked them, so I got another pair when the first ones were too small. I think they were around $60 new. I bought them for my riding lessons i started almost 4 years ago.

Likes: I liked the leather-look of them, but thats about it. Since I was only riding once a week, I did not wear them very much. With my first pair, soon the ankle got very beat up and the inside of the boot was actually coming out when i took the boot off. I do not know how much/often they were used before i got them. With my second pair, I never had that problem in the 1-1.5 years i used them (about once a week) Its very easy to clean them, simply get a wet cloth and wipe them down.

Dislikes: In the summer, they are very hot and makes your leg very hot and sweaty after riding. Even in the winter, my breeches had sweat on them from riding. It is somewhat difficult to get your heel down riding in them. The main thing is that they are very hot, and uncomfortable after several hours of wearing them.

Quality: I think they are made very well, I never had any problems other than them being sweaty. After a lot of use, the heel inside becomes torn and it had come out when i take them off- making it extrememly difficutl to get them off, but that was only with my first pair.

Summary: I wouldnt' buy these again, for riding in them (i have replaced them with paddocks and half chaps) but they may be useful if its very muddy and wet out, and dont want to get my other shoes dirty. I think they are good for beginners who arn't going to ride a lot, or spend a bunch of time at the barn, but want a tall boot for the english look.